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The Accutron name is not well-remembered, these days, but was once synonymous with high-accuracy and cutting edge technology. The original Accutron was the worlds first fully electronic watch, using a high frequency resonating tuning fork to keep time. It far more accurate than mechanical watches of the day and was such a hit that it even went to the moon with the Apollo 11 mission. Then quartz came along and Bulovas unique tuning fork system lost its accuracy crown.

So here it is again. Accurton II. Its quartz, this time, but still retains the tuning fork emblem on various parts of the watch to remind us of its close association with its forerunner. But is it anything like the watch that came before, or is it playing shamelessly on past glories?

In terms of the finish, while this is not a cheap watch it is certainly not high end, either. I am a bit of a collector of high end, high accuracy quartz watches and this one feels cheap. The metal finish is slippery, the links are loose and the face is covered with rather standard glass. The finish is definitely below that of the original watch, but thats to be expected given its much lower relative cost. I would also say, however, that the finish is below even my day-to-day Seiko Solar, which cost a third the price of the Accutron II.

In terms of style, this watch is based very closely on the style of the original, except that it now includes a date window, the bezel does not rotate and is numbered to 12 instead of 24. All this is more practical for daily use, and while the style is not to my personal taste, I bought this watch mainly for the historical throw-back. I also bought it for its purported accuracy, and this is what really makes the Accutron II an interesting watch for me.

All true high accuracy quartz watches, without exception, use thermocompensation. This is partly why they cost so much. Where inexpensive watches have tried to claim high accuracy without thermocompensation, they have been left with egg on their face. Case in point: Pulsars PSR-10 - a watch that promised 10 seconds per year accuracy but which real world user experience showed could drift by several times that amount. The Accutron II also claims to be able to maintain high accuracy without thermocompensation, so I have taken a huge pinch of salt with those words and have set it up for a year-long test. The Accutron II uses the same movement as Bulovas Precisionist that made a splash at Basel in 2010, and makes use of a unique Ultra High Frequency torsional resonator. Back when it was launched, Bulova claimed their new movement would keep time to 10 seconds per year. They have since quietly stopped making specific accuracy claims, and instead wax lyrical about the amazing accuracy of the Accutron II in ironically vague terms.

One point of interest that sets the Accurtron II apart from most other quartz movements is the sweeping second hand. Most quartz movements tick from second to second. This saves power and lets their batteries last five or more years. Seikos Grand Seiko range uses a higher power motor, longer second hands and an imperceptible double-tick second and this reduces battery life to three years. So whats the trade-off for Bulovas continuous sweep second hand? According to the instruction booklet, the battery is expected to last just one year. Given that it was ticking when it arrived, I dont hold out much hope of it completing my one-year accuracy test.

Overall, I am still in two minds about this purchase. If I had bought it because I loved the style and was going to wear it every day, then fine. But you dont need a review to tell you whether or not you like a particular style. Think about what youre looking for in a watch. I collect high-accuracy watches and decided to take the plunge with this one because it wasnt particularly expensive and would fill an interesting slot in my collection. But I have serious doubts about its accuracy and am particularly disappointed by the one year battery life.

For this review I have to give the watch a rating from poor to excellent, and this is very hard for me as the watch is still new and Im going largely on first impressions. Battery life is definitely poor. I cannot think of any other quartz watch with a one-year battery life. Design is to personal taste but I like the way it faithfully follows the original. The mechanism is unique in the watch world, and there are precious few quartz watches with sweeping second hands, so those are plus points, but the power draw is unacceptably high. The finish is cheap and below what I would expect at this price point. Given that the rating system jumps from average straight to very good with no point in between I think I have to go with an average rating.

Other independent review sources for this product

Bulova is one of the longest-established global watch brands, beginning with a flagship store in Manhattan which opened in 1875. The legacy of Bulova revolves around the classic art of quality timekeeping fused with a loving embrace of the future. The brand is recognised internationally for its use of only the highest quality materials, with collections at a choice of price points and a variety of innovative styles. If you find the selection here doesn't suit you, take a look at even more Bulova-designed watches in the Caravelle New York collection.
From stylish dress watches to the ultimate in precision timepieces, the Bulova brand has been exceeding expectations for nearly a century and a half. The men's collection ranges from elegant yet ultimately masculine choices for evening wear to dazzling, funky casual wrist accessories.
Ladies will find something to suit any occasion, whether it calls for subtle yet graceful, sparkl

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